August 6, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (H.R. 1228).

Too many of our nation's young people lack the basic knowledge required to understand the world outside our country's borders. This general lack of knowledge impedes our nation's ability to compete in the global economy of the 21st Century. Simply put, students need to learn about and understand the countries and cultures that are or could become our political and economic partners.

Your bill will help improve our children's understanding of their world both within and beyond our country's borders by authorizing federal funding to improve student achievement, increase teacher training, encourage education research, and develop effective instructional materials and strategies for geography education. We believe your bill will help prepare America's students to move forward and succeed in a rapidly-changing, competitive, global economy.

We thank you for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure great public schools for every student.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

August 4, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Time for Innovation Matters in Education Act.

NEA supports innovative proposals to increase learning time, such as through an extended school day, school week, or school year. Increasing learning time not only helps maximize student achievement, but helps ensure students access to a full and rich curriculum that includes art, music, physical education, and other subjects necessary for a well-rounded education.

By funding planning and implementation grants for pilot extended learning time initiatives, your bill would help districts explore options for increasing learning time that best fit the needs of their students. We are particularly pleased that your bill would require that any such programs be implemented with the input and consent of school employees - including teachers and education support professionals - and would also protect educators' collectively bargained rights.

We thank you for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every student.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 30, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support the tax extenders bill (S.3335), scheduled for vote today. This bill includes important provisions that would extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. These issues are critically important to NEA members across the country, who will be watching congressional actions closely. Specifically, we urge you to

• Vote YES on cloture, and
  
• Vote YES on final passage

Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest counties were in crisis, experiencing dramatic reductions in funding. The program has restored critical educational services for students in rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural schools.

  Unfortunately, the program has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential layoffs.

• The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.
  
• The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.
  
• The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 31, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge the Senate to take up and pass the Pension Protection Technical Corrections Act (H.R. 6382), as passed by the House of Representatives. NEA supports this bill, including the important "smoothing" technical correction provision. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) radically changed the rules for funding single-employer defined benefit pension plans, including requiring a plan's assets to be valued at fair market value, rather than, as under prior law, by any reasonable actuarial method that takes fair market value into account. These new rules are having a serious negative impact on the sustainability of single-employer defined benefit plans. And, the impact could be exacerbated by fluctuations in the market value of plans' assets. Such additional volatility could lead plan sponsors to freeze or terminate defined benefit plans rather than face the unpredictable impact of changing contribution requirements based on the short-term fluctuations of market values.

H.R. 6382 would address some of the concerns raised by the PPA rules, by allowing employers to moderate the impact of radical changes in market values that occur over short time periods by taking such changes into account only gradually, over a longer period of time. This technique, known as "smoothing" would make future contributions to single-employer defined benefit plans more predictable and therefore more sustainable.

Even though most NEA members work in the public sector - where traditional defined benefit pension plans continue to constitute a key part of the overall compensation structure - they have a keen interest in the universal recognition of traditional defined benefit pension plans as extremely valuable components in the fight against retirement insecurity. Moreover, some NEA members do work in private sector jobs where their interests are directly affected by pension legislation; as are the interests of NEA's and its affiliates' employees, who also participate in traditional defined benefit plans. Therefore, NEA strongly supports H.R. 6382, including the "smoothing" technical correction provision.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 29, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge your support for Michelle's Law legislation (H.R. 2851), scheduled for floor debate this week. This important legislation would increase access to health insurance for college students required to take a medical leave of absence from their studies in the event of medical crisis.

The Michelle's Law bill was inspired by the tragic circumstances faced by Michelle Morse, the daughter of an NEA member, who was forced to maintain a full college course load while undergoing debilitating cancer treatment or risk losing her health insurance. Currently, dependent students between the ages of 19 and 24 lose their eligibility for dependent healthcare coverage if they do not maintain full-time student status because of illness. As a result, these students must purchase an expensive COBRA plan or continue classes in the face of a potentially debilitating or even deadly illness.

The bill would allow college students to take medical leave while battling a serious illness and still maintain eligibility for their parents' health insurance. In so doing, it would ensure that seriously ill students can take the time necessary to undergo treatment and recovery before returning to their academic studies.

Again, we urge your support for this important bill.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 30, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge your support for an amendment to be offered by Representatives Biggert (R-IL) and Davis (R-KY) to the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (H.R. 840) that would align HUD's definition of homelessness with the statutory definition used by the Department of Education. Specifically, the amendment would include in the HUD definition children and youth verified as homeless by public schools. Actions in committee on this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The Department of Education definition of homelessness reflects the realities of family and youth homelessness. Public schools are the cornerstone of communities; no other entity has the same level of daily contact with children, youth, and families. Schools see the scope and the depth of housing problems in every community in the nation, and therefore are among the most accurate barometers of family and youth homelessness. Schools serve children whose families cannot get into shelters because they are full, or non-existent. Schools also serve children and youth who are excluded from shelters because of eligibility rules.

Homeless children and youth are at grave risk of educational failure and dropping out of school. Children who are moving from place to place - and are tired, hungry, sick, and traumatized - face significant barriers to academic success. Yet, the narrow definition proposed in the mark will undercut public school efforts to help these children. The definition will make it harder for schools and other agencies to work together and will prevent vulnerable children and youth from receiving the services they need to come to school ready and able to learn.

By aligning HUD's definition more closely with the Department of Education, communities will be better equipped to serve these vulnerable children and youth. Again, we urge the Committee to adopt the Biggert-Davis amendment to include in the HUD definition children and youth who are verified as homeless by public schools.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 31, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our views on the conference report for the Higher Education Act Reauthorization (H.R. 4137). We commend the conferees for including a number of positive provisions that will strengthen post-secondary education. However, we strongly object to the inclusion of "academic bill of rights" (ABOR) language in the conference agreement.

We are very pleased with a number of provisions in the agreement, including those regarding:

• Pell Grants - increasing the purchasing power of Pell Grants by raising the maximum award to $6,000 in the upcoming academic year (from $4,310), followed by incremental increases of $400 in subsequent years to reach a maximum grant of $8,000 in academic year 2014-2015.
  
• Textbooks - addressing the growing crisis of affordable course materials by balancing students' abilities to manage textbook costs through advanced planning with respect for faculty's legitimate academic freedom concerns.
  
• TEACH Grants - making positive changes to clarify and strengthen the program, including addressing" extenuating circumstances" that might affect repayment, and helping teachers deal with changes in high-need designations while they fulfill their service requirement. The bill also requires a study that will provide useful information on the program and its efficacy.
  
• Patsy T. Mink Fellowship Program - providing awards to assist highly qualified minorities and women to acquire the doctoral degree, or the highest degree possible, in certain academic areas, thereby helping more women and underrepresented populations entering the professoriate.
  
• Community Colleges - authorizing a pilot program to increase college persistence and success. Part of this program targets funds for scholarships, support programs, and counseling for community college students to ensure persistence and, when possible, matriculation to a four-year school.
  
• Business Workforce Partnerships for Job Skill Training in High-Growth Occupations or Industries" program - authorizing a grant program for partnerships between institutions of higher education and businesses to develop programs that would give students the skills necessary for employment with local businesses.
  
• Teach for America (TFA) - requiring a study that will allow for a meaningful comparison of TFA teachers to their colleagues who completed traditional teacher preparation programs. The required studies must meet peer review standards of the education research community with reviewers having expertise in a number of areas, including assessment and instruction.
  
• Collective Bargaining Rights - applying the "savings clause" to protect collective bargaining rights to all of Title II.
  
• Adjunct Teacher Corps -stating that Adjunct Teacher Corps teachers cannot displace current teachers or reduce the number of teachers who otherwise would be hired, and specifying that an adjunct teacher is not the primary teacher and must work under the supervision of a regular, highly qualified teacher.

We are also very pleased that the conference agreement contains no Teacher Incentive Fund or other "merit pay" provisions.

We do, however, strongly object to inclusion in the conference report of the "academic bill of rights" - a critical issue for NEA's higher education members. NEA has consistently and ardently opposed the inclusion of ABOR in any higher education bill. Although the agreement language is framed as a "sense of the Congress," we believe it raises major concerns. Essentially, the mere presence of this language in the bill opens the door for unwarranted government intrusion into the classroom and the curriculum.

We thank you for your consideration of our views on these important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 29, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our views on the conference report for the Higher Education Act Reauthorization (H.R. 4137). We commend conferees for including a number of positive provisions that will strengthen post-secondary education. However, we strongly object to the inclusion of "academic bill of rights" (ABOR) language in the conference agreement.

We are very pleased with a number of provisions in the agreement, including those regarding:

• Pell Grants - increasing the purchasing power of Pell Grants by raising the maximum award to $6,000 in the upcoming academic year (from $4,310), followed by incremental increases of $400 in subsequent years to reach a maximum grant of $8,000 in academic year 2014-2015.
  
• Textbooks - addressing the growing crisis of affordable course materials by balancing students' abilities to manage textbook costs through advanced planning with respect for faculty's legitimate academic freedom concerns.
  
• TEACH Grants - making positive changes to clarify and strengthen the program, including addressing" extenuating circumstances" that might affect repayment, and helping teachers deal with changes in high-need designations while they fulfill their service requirement. The bill also requires a study that will provide useful information on the program and its efficacy.
  
• Patsy T. Mink Fellowship Program - providing awards to assist highly qualified minorities and women to acquire the doctoral degree, or the highest degree possible, in certain academic areas, thereby helping more women and underrepresented populations entering the professoriate.
  
• Community Colleges - authorizing a pilot program to increase college persistence and success. Part of this program targets funds for scholarships, support programs, and counseling for community college students to ensure persistence and, when possible, matriculation to a four-year school.
  
• Business Workforce Partnerships for Job Skill Training in High-Growth Occupations or Industries" program - authorizing a grant program for partnerships between institutions of higher education and businesses to develop programs that would give students the skills necessary for employment with local businesses.
  
• Teach for America (TFA) - requiring a study that will allow for a meaningful comparison of TFA teachers to their colleagues who completed traditional teacher preparation programs. The required studies must meet peer review standards of the education research community with reviewers having expertise in a number of areas, including assessment and instruction.
  
• Collective Bargaining Rights - applying the "savings clause" to protect collective bargaining rights to all of Title II.
  
• Adjunct Teacher Corps -stating that Adjunct Teacher Corps teachers cannot displace current teachers or reduce the number of teachers who otherwise would be hired, and specifying that an adjunct teacher is not the primary teacher and must work under the supervision of a regular, highly qualified teacher.

We are also very pleased that the conference agreement contains no Teacher Incentive Fund or other "merit pay" provisions.

We do, however, strongly object to inclusion in the conference report of the "academic bill of rights" - a critical issue for NEA's higher education members. NEA has consistently and ardently opposed the inclusion of ABOR in any higher education bill. Although the agreement language is framed as a "sense of the Congress," we believe it raises major concerns. Essentially, the mere presence of this language in the bill opens the door for unwarranted government intrusion into the classroom and the curriculum.

We thank you for your consideration of our views on these important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 24, 2008

Dear Senator Clinton and Representative Honda:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration Act. We thank you both for your leadership in introducing this important legislation, which will make a real difference in enhancing English proficiency for both children and adults.

According to the Census Bureau, over 19 percent of the population (54.8 million) speaks a language other than English at home. Over the past 15 years, English language learner (ELL) student enrollment has nearly doubled and experts predict that one quarter of the total U.S. public school population will be made up of ELLs by 2025. ELL students present a growing educational challenge for our public schools. For example, in the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 29 percent of ELL students scored at or above the basic level of reading, compared with 75 percent of non-ELLs.

Given this need, we are pleased that your bill will:

• Provide additional investments for programs such as the Even Start Family Literacy Program;
  
• Enhance recruitment and retention of ELL teachers through a tax credit; and
  
• Establish a grant program for middle and high schools to provide additional learning time for ELL students.

We also strongly support provisions that would invest new resources in adult education and literacy and employee training programs. Increasing adult literacy and fluency in English is critical to helping adults further their education and ensuring their financial stability as well as maximizing the academic success of children in those households.

We thank you both again for your work on this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with you to secure passage of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 22, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to support the tax extenders bill scheduled for debate before the August recess. This bill includes important provisions that would extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. These issues are critically important to NEA members across the country, who will be watching congressional actions closely. Specifically, we urge you to

• Vote YES on cloture, and
• Vote YES on final passage

Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest counties were in crisis, experiencing dramatic reductions in funding. The program has restored critical educational services for students in rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural schools.
  
  Unfortunately, the program has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential layoffs.
  
  
• The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.
  
  
• The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.
  
  
• The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 21, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to include funding for the following priorities in the supplemental appropriations economic stimulus bill scheduled for mark-up this week:

• The Public School Renovation and Repair Act (S. 1942), which would support the repair, renovation, and building of thousands of public schools, while leaving decision making about the schools at the local level. Funding for S.1942 will generate thousands of jobs in the construction industry, and among the many suppliers, ranging from architects and engineers to roofing contractors and other workers, who design and build our nation's schools.
  
  
• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. This program, which has expired, provided a guaranteed payment to rural, timber-dependent counties. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will be devastating for many rural counties. In fact, impacted counties have already sent out layoff notices to school staff and other public service employees. In addition, many have closed libraries, curtailed sheriff patrols, released prisoners from jails, ceased search and rescue operations, eliminated mental health care services, and several are considering declaring bankruptcy and giving up their county status.
  
  
• Increased Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentages (FMAP). During the last economic downturn, the Federal Government temporarily increased federal Medicaid payments to states. This prevented extensive reductions in healthcare for poor children, the disabled, pregnant women, and the elderly who depend on Medicaid. If the current economic downturn continues, states will again be forced to deny Medicaid coverage and/or reduce payments to providers unless relief is provided. According to a 2005 study, every $1 million of funds invested in Medicaid generates 33 new jobs and $1.23 million in new wages annually.
  
  
• General State Fiscal Relief. In addition to increasing FMAP, Congress also needs to provide general state fiscal relief. As our nation faces a possible recession, state fiscal conditions are deteriorating. At least 29 states plus the District of Columbia, including several of the nation's largest states, faced or are facing an estimated $48 billion in combined shortfalls in their budgets for fiscal year 2009. States facing such significant shortfalls are likely to institute hefty cuts in education, health care, education, and other priorities.
  
  
• Repeal of Social Security Offsets. The Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for hundreds of thousands of retirees across the country. Addressing these offsets will provide immediate relief for retirees and will enable them to spend more money in their local economies.

We thank you for your attention to these important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 21, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the School Safety Enhancements Act (H.R. 2352). We believe this bill will help strengthen your already successful Secure Our Schools grant program, while increasing efforts to enhance school safety at both the k-12 and higher education levels.

NEA believes that a secure, positive learning environment is a critical component of a quality education. Safe and orderly schools facilitate effective teaching and learning, while violence or the threat thereof diverts attention and resources away from education. Students cannot learn and educators cannot teach when threatened by physical violence or harassment.

We are pleased that your bill would:

• Require institutions of higher education to develop and campus safety assessment and implement a campus emergency response plan. Last year's tragedy at Virginia Tech underscored the need to focus increased resources and attention on postsecondary institutions.
  
  
• Increase the federal share of funding for elementary and secondary school security upgrades, thereby ensuring that even localities facing funding crises will be able to institute appropriate safety measures.
  
  
• Allow funding for creation of hotlines - an effective tool for reporting of dangerous situations.

We thank you for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 16, 2008

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to vote to override the President's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331). This bill will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services in rural and urban areas. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

We were pleased that both the House and Senate passed this important legislation, which would:

• Delay for 18 months a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1 percent. Many physicians already turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. In fact, nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association. Reducing reimbursements even further will increase the number of physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients. In addition, physicians are considering steps such as laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology that could compromise the quality of care.

• Protect seniors and disabled citizens from marketing fraud and abuse by salespeople working for private Medicare plans. Specifically, it would ban abusive marketing and sales practices in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs.
  
  
• Expand rural health care programs. In so doing, the bill will improve access to affordable, high quality medical care in underserved areas.
  
  
• Reduce copayments for mental health services from 50 percent to 20 percent. Too many Medicare beneficiaries are unable to afford the higher copayments associated with behavioral health treatment for illnesses such as depression and anxiety. NEA recommends reducing the copayments for behavioral health treatment so they are on par with medical services.
  
  
• Cut payments to private Medicare Advantage benefit plans, which currently receive payment at a rate 13 percent higher than traditional fee-for-service providers. In doing, so, the bill alleviates the cost of this special deal to taxpayers and beneficiaries.

We are very disappointed that the President has vetoed this bill. We urge Congress to stand by this important legislation by overriding the President's veto.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 17, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (S. 3140).

NEA strongly supports your proposal to offer paid leave to federal employees following the birth or adoption of a child. We believe such leave is essential to the health and well-being of families and children. Specifically, in addition to relieving family burdens, allowing new parents to take leave from work helps ensure the parental involvement so essential to a child's physical, emotional, and intellectual development.

By providing four weeks of paid leave, your bill would ensure that families have the necessary time for bonding with new children without worrying about the financial consequences of lost work time. We thank you for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of children and families.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 16, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge the House Appropriations Committee to include in the FY09 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill compromise language regarding the District of Columbia "Opportunity Scholarship Program that has been incorporated into the Senate version. While we continue our strong opposition to the voucher program, we believe the Senate language offers a reasonable compromise that will eventually lead to the program's end.

NEA consistently has urged that this program end, as was initially intended, at the close of the 2008-2009 school year. Over the five year span of the program, its effectiveness has not been proven and it is clear that the funding could have been spent in far more useful ways to serve all students in the DC public schools.

The bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee would provide one additional year of funding (for the 2009-2010 school year). However, the bill also stipulates that no funding beyond the 2009-2010 year will be provided, absent an authorization of the program. We appreciate the intent of this provision, which will require a comprehensive look at the program before any future funds are considered. We are certain that a thorough examination will make clear the program's ineffectiveness and inappropriateness, which should ensure that it is not reauthorized.

We also appreciate provisions included by the Senate Committee that preclude the use of vouchers for schools lacking a certificate of occupancy for the District and for schools in which teachers teaching core subjects do not have college degrees.

Again, we urge the House Appropriations Committee to include the Senate language in the House FY09 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. We thank you for your consideration of our views on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 14, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge the House to strip from the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R.3221) a provision that would prevent localities from raising tax rates to help compensate for shrinking property tax revenues resulting from declining home values. NEA strongly opposes this potentially dangerous Senate-passed provision, which could force localities to cut funding for schools, police, and other vital public services and will have other unintended consequences. Votes associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Property taxes are a major funding source for schools in most state. They also support vital services such as police and fire departments, road maintenance, libraries, parks, and social services. In the areas hardest hit by the housing crisis, property values are falling. If values are falling, property tax revenues will fall unless the rates are raised.

The number of children who must be educated does not drop just because property values fall. Nor do the costs of providing police and fire protection, maintaining roads, and other services. If localities do not have the flexibility to offset even a portion of this revenue loss by raising property tax rates, they may have to lay off teachers or take other drastic action to cut K-12 education, as well as cut police forces and close fire stations.

If the federal government limits the ability of localities to raise property tax rates, states will face pressure to make up the revenue that localities need to maintain services. At the current time, more than half of the states face deficits that average nine percent of their expenditures. Some states are cutting various forms of aid to localities in order to meet their own balanced budget requirements; states experiencing fiscal stress are in no position to replace lost property tax revenue. In short, this proposal could squeeze state and local services from both ends.

We urge you to protect education and other vital public services by stripping this dangerous provision from H.R. 3221.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 14, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our disappointment that the manager's amendment for reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act does not align HUD's definition of homelessness with the statutory definition used by the Department of Education. Specifically, we urge the Committee to include in the HUD definition children and youth verified as homeless by public schools.

The Department of Education definition of homelessness reflects the realities of family and youth homelessness. Public schools are the cornerstone of communities; no other entity has the same level of daily contact with children, youth, and families. Schools see the scope and the depth of housing problems in every community in the nation, and therefore are among the most accurate barometers of family and youth homelessness. Schools serve children whose families cannot get into shelters because they are full, or non-existent. Schools also serve children and youth who are excluded from shelters because of eligibility rules.

Homeless children and youth are at grave risk of educational failure and dropping out of school. Children who are moving from place to place - and are tired, hungry, sick, and traumatized - face significant barriers to academic success. Yet, the narrow definition proposed in the manager's amendment will undercut public school efforts to help these children. The definition will make it harder for schools and other agencies to work together and will prevent vulnerable children and youth from receiving the services they need to come to school ready and able to learn.

By aligning HUD's definition more closely with the Department of Education, communities will be better equipped to serve these vulnerable children and youth. We urge the Committee to postpone consideration of this legislation until this issue can be resolved, or to adopt an amendment that would include in the HUD definition children and youth who are verified as homeless by public schools.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 10, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our views on the compromise subcommittee language in the FY09 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill regarding the District of Columbia "Opportunity Scholarship Program." While we continue our strong opposition to the voucher program, we believe the subcommittee language offers a reasonable compromise that will eventually lead to the program's end.

NEA consistently has urged that this program end, as was initially intended, at the close of the 2008-2009 school year. Over the five year span of the program, its effectiveness has not been proven and it is clear that the funding could have been spent in far more useful ways to serve all students in the DC public schools.

As we understand it, the funding in the bill as approved by the subcommittee would provide one additional year of funding (for the 2009-2010 school year). However, the bill also stipulates that no funding beyond the 2009-2010 year will be provided, absent an authorization of the program. We appreciate the intent of this provision, which will require a comprehensive look at the program before any future funds are considered. We are certain that a thorough examination will make clear the program's ineffectiveness and inappropriateness, which should ensure that it is not reauthorized.

We also appreciate provisions included by the subcommittee that preclude the use of vouchers for schools lacking a certificate of occupancy for the District and for schools in which teachers teaching core subjects do not have college degrees.

We thank you for your consideration of our views on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 8, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Increased Student Achievement through Increased Student Support Act. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation.

Counseling programs staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers help all students in the areas of student learning, personal/social development and career development, ensuring that students become productive, well-adjusted adults. Effective counseling programs are important to the school climate and in improving student achievement. Too often, however, these professionals have unreasonable caseloads, but counselors are expected to attend to the individual needs of students. In addition, many counselors are serving as testing coordinators, diverting their time away from meeting students' needs.

The lack of school counselors and other social services personnel is of particular concern in many low-income school districts today, given the increased pressure on student performance and the social, emotional and behavioral issues that impact achievement in high-needs schools. Your bill will help address these critical needs by increasing the number of school counselors, social workers and psychologists in under-served school districts.

We thank you again for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 9, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject any efforts to extend funding for the District of Columbia's "Opportunity Scholarship Program." This program was created in 2004 as a five-year voucher experiment and is set to expire this September.

The DC voucher program has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement. The program is poorly administered and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers - some do not have even bachelor's degrees. (The complete GAO report, District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations, is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. Our nation's capital needs real education reform - not vouchers - to ensure that no child gets left behind. This reform requires meaningful resources, not a diversion of funding to vouchers. We urge you to let this program expire as scheduled, with no funding for fiscal year 2009.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 1, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Increased Student Achievement through Increased Student Support Act. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation.

Counseling programs staffed by professional school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers help all students in the areas of student learning, personal/social development and career development, ensuring that students become productive, well-adjusted adults. Effective counseling programs are important to the school climate and in improving student achievement. Too often, however, these professionals have unreasonable caseloads, but counselors are expected to attend to the individual needs of students. In addition, many counselors are serving as testing coordinators, diverting their time away from meeting students' needs.

The lack of school counselors and other social services personnel is of particular concern in many low-income school districts today, given the increased pressure on student performance and the social, emotional and behavioral issues that impact achievement in high-needs schools. Your bill will help address these critical needs by increasing the number of school counselors, social workers and psychologists in under-served school districts.

We thank you again for your leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

July 7, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to vote YES on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331). This important legislation will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and urban areas. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

NEA supports this bill because it would:

• Delay for 18 months a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1 percent. Many physicians already turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. Reducing these reimbursements even further will increase the number of physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients. In fact, nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association. In addition, physicians are considering steps such as laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology that could compromise the quality of care.
  
  
• Protect seniors and disabled citizens from marketing fraud and abuse by salespeople working for private Medicare plans. Specifically, it would ban abusive marketing and sales practices in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs.
  
  
• Expand rural health care programs. In so doing, the bill will improve access to affordable, high quality medical care in underserved areas.
  
  
• Reduce copayments for mental health services from 50 percent to 20 percent. Too many Medicare beneficiaries are unable to afford the higher copayments associated with behavioral health treatment for illnesses such as depression and anxiety. NEA recommends reducing the copayments for behavioral health treatment so they are on par with medical services.
  
  
• Cuts payments to private Medicare Advantage benefit plans, which currently receive payment at a rate 13 percent higher than that received by traditional Medicare fee-for-service providers. In doing, so, the bill alleviates the cost of this special deal to taxpayers and beneficiaries.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 26, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill. While we have not yet seen all of the provisions of the bill, we are encouraged by increases in several key education programs.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our students still are not receiving the tools and help they need to succeed. Additional investments in proven programs such as Title I and IDEA special education as well as higher education programs such as Pell Grants are essential if we are to close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student. Therefore, we greatly appreciate the increases in key programs proposed in the funding bill marked up by the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related agencies earlier this week, including:

• Providing a $665 million increase for Title I for low income students
• Increasing the federal share for IDEA funding from 17.1% to 17.5%
• Increasing the Pell Grant maximum by $169, more than doubling the President's request of a $69 increase

We also appreciate the rejection of the President's proposals to divert scarce resources to private school voucher efforts that are inappropriate and have yet to prove they help students achieve at higher levels. Further, we appreciate the rejection of numerous other education program cuts and eliminations proposed by the President.

Based on the information we have to date, we have one significant concern about funding provided in this bill. We oppose continuation of funding for the merit pay program, the Teacher Incentive Fund. We instead urge that these funds be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and pass an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 24, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject any efforts to extend funding for the District of Columbia's so-called "Opportunity Scholarship Program." This program was created in 2004 as a five-year voucher experiment and is set to expire this September.

The DC voucher program has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement. The program is poorly administered and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers - some do not have even bachelor's degrees. (The complete GAO report, District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations, is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. Our nation's capital needs real education reform - not vouchers - to ensure that no child gets left behind. This reform requires meaningful resources, not a diversion of funding to vouchers. We urge you to let this program expire as scheduled, with no funding for fiscal year 2009.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 25, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act (H.R. 3289) and urge its passage in today's Committee markup. Please vote in favor of this important legislation to help states enhance the quality of their pre-k programs.

NEA believes that children's learning begins well before they enter school, and that the transition to school must be founded on strong school readiness. Research shows that quality early childhood education is a key predictor of a child's future educational achievement and emotional development. Children need proper stimulation and education from birth through age six in order to ensure full development and adequate preparation for the rigors of school.

Given the importance of high-quality early childhood learning opportunities, we are pleased that this bill would give states the flexibility to use funds for a variety of strategies designed to enhance pre-k programs. For example, states could direct funds authorized under the bill to increase the number of trained early childhood educators, improve student-to-teacher ratios in preschools, provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and nutritional assistance, increase the hours per day and weeks per year families have access to high quality early education programs, and/or improve early education programs serving the youngest children.

Again, we thank you for your consideration of this request and look forward to continuing to work with you on these very important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 24, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our strong opposition to a provision in the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R.3221) that would prevent localities from raising tax rates to help compensate for shrinking property tax revenues resulting from declining home values. This potentially dangerous provision could force localities to cut funding for schools, police, and other vital public services and will have other unintended consequences. We urge you to vote NO on cloture for this legislation unless these provisions are removed from the bill. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Property taxes are a major funding source for schools in most state. They also support vital services such as police and fire departments, road maintenance, libraries, parks, and social services. In the areas hardest hit by the housing crisis, property values are falling. If values are falling, property tax revenues will fall unless the rates are raised.

The number of children who must be educated does not drop just because property values fall. Nor do the costs of providing police and fire protection, maintaining roads, and other services. If localities do not have the flexibility to offset even a portion of this revenue loss by raising property tax rates, they may have to lay off teachers or take other drastic action to cut K-12 education, as well as cut police forces and close fire stations.

If the federal government limits the ability of localities to raise property tax rates, states will face pressure to make up the revenue that localities need to maintain services. At the current time, more than half of the states face deficits that average nine percent of their expenditures. Some states are cutting various forms of aid to localities in order to meet their own balanced budget requirements; states experiencing fiscal stress are in no position to replace lost property tax revenue. In short, this proposal could squeeze state and local services from both ends.

We urge you to protect education and other vital public services by opposing this ill-conceived provision in H.R. 3221.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 23, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. Most recently, the FY09 Congressional Budget Resolution rejected further cuts and program eliminations proposed by the President. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our students still are not receiving the tools and help they need to succeed. Additional investments in proven programs such as Title I and IDEA special education as well as higher education programs such as Pell Grants are essential if we are to close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student.

To meet continuing urgent needs, we urge you to:

• Fund critical programs such as Title I, Title II, and School Improvement Grants at the levels necessary to ensure great public schools for every child, including increasing Title I by $3 billion (from $13.9 billion to $16.9 billion) and putting it on a path to be doubled in funding over five years.
  
  
• Increase funding for IDEA special education by $2.3 billion (from $10.9 billion to $13.2 billion). This increase would raise the federal share of special education costs from 17 to 20 percent.
  
  
• Significantly increase the funding for Pell Grants and career and technical education programs to train our workforce to deal with the realities of the 21st Century, including increasing the Pell Grant maximum to $5,100 (from $4,310).
  
  
• Reject any efforts to divert scarce resources to private school vouchers;
  
  
• Limit funding for the unauthorized Teacher Incentive Fund so that funds can instead be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and craft an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 19, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we strongly urge your support for the domestic spending provisions in the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill. While we know that there has been extensive debate and concern about budgetary issues, several education-related provisions are essential and cannot be delayed further. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Specifically, we strongly support provisions that would:

• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. School districts play a critical role as a site for healthcare delivery for students during the day. In fact, receiving medical services through school may be the only way some students get the services they need. Medicaid reimbursement helps school districts provide the highest quality services to students with special needs. Cutting Medicaid payments to schools would jeopardize the ability of students to receive needed school-based health care and could force students to remain at home rather than attending school. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice - by law, the states must balance their budgets. Congress must recognize the serious impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and provide much-needed relief.
  
  
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.
  
  
• Extend unemployment insurance benefits. Extending unemployment benefits will provide an immediate boost for the economy and help struggling families get back on their feet.

We thank you for your attention to these important issues and hope we can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 19, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to share our views on education funding as you mark-up the FY09 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill.

A strong public education system is critical to the future strength and economic well-being of our nation. In the past two years, this Congress took essential steps toward restoring education cuts and freezes enacted over the last half dozen years and providing the resources necessary to fulfill every child's right to a great public school. Most recently, the FY09 Congressional Budget Resolution rejected further cuts and program eliminations proposed by the President. We greatly appreciate the leadership role of the subcommittee and committee in securing these much needed increases over the past few years.

Despite these positive steps, however, too many of our students still are not receiving the tools and help they need to succeed. Additional investments in proven programs such as Title I and IDEA special education as well as higher education programs such as Pell Grants are essential if we are to close achievement gaps and maximize the academic potential of every student.

To meet continuing urgent needs, we urge you to:

• Fund critical programs such as Title I, Title II, and School Improvement Grants at the levels necessary to ensure great public schools for every child, including increasing Title I by $3 billion (from $13.9 billion to $16.9 billion) and putting it on a path to be doubled in funding over five years.
  
  
• Increase funding for IDEA special education by $2.3 billion (from $10.9 billion to $13.2 billion). This increase would raise the federal share of special education costs from 17 to 20 percent.
  
  
• Significantly increase the funding for Pell Grants and career and technical education programs to train our workforce to deal with the realities of the 21st Century, including increasing the Pell Grant maximum to $5,100 (from $4,310).
  
  
• Reject any efforts to divert scarce resources to private school vouchers;
  
  
• Limit funding for the unauthorized Teacher Incentive Fund so that funds can instead be targeted to Title II Teacher Quality State grants. This will allow all states, rather than just a few select districts, to increase investments in teacher quality.

Congress is back on the right track for education funding after several years of devastating cuts and freezes. We urge you to continue on this path and craft an education appropriations bill that provides the resources necessary to guarantee all children the quality public education to which they are entitled.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our support for the NCLB Recess until Reauthorization Act (HR 6239), which would suspend imposition of any new sanctions for failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act and, instead, allow schools to focus on improving student achievement. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this bill - one that will make a real difference for public school students in Missouri and across the nation - as well as your ongoing efforts in support of public education.

H.R. 6239 would prevent any new or additional sanctions from being imposed on schools and school districts under the No Child Left Behind law for one year or until the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized, whichever comes first. It would not remove sanctions from schools or school districts currently subject to them.

The current sanction system imposes escalating sanctions in a rapid succession, with little time to evaluate their impact on educational quality. In imposing a moratorium on new sanctions, your bill recognizes their detrimental impact on the very students the law was intended to help. In fact, many students in high-poverty schools subject to escalating sanctions have actually seen a reduction in curriculum in favor of "teaching to the test." In addition, there is little evidence that the NCLB mandated sanctions have helped raise student achievement or close achievement gaps.

Six and a half years after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, 18 states still do not have final approval for their system of standards and assessments, raising serious questions about the validity of sanctions imposed since they are based on the results of those assessments. The Department of Education has indicated it is unlikely to give any additional states full approval by the end of the current school year. Therefore, a pause in designating more schools for improvement, as called for under your legislation, is essential to preventing the continued possible misidentification of schools.

We believe your legislation offers a common-sense approach to slowing down the sanction process until the entire system can be reevaluated through the reauthorization process. If the bill moves forward we have some technical suggestions to the language to clarify that schools and districts already identified will still be subject to the appropriate requirements of the law. We thank you again for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to offer our support for the NCLB Recess until Reauthorization Act (HR 6239), which would suspend imposition of any new sanctions for failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act and, instead, allow schools to focus on improving student achievement. We thank you for your leadership in introducing this bill - one that will make a real difference for public school students in Missouri and across the nation - as well as your ongoing efforts in support of public education.

H.R. 6239 would prevent any new or additional sanctions from being imposed on schools and school districts under the No Child Left Behind law for one year or until the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized, whichever comes first. It would not remove sanctions from schools or school districts currently subject to them.

The current sanction system imposes escalating sanctions in a rapid succession, with little time to evaluate their impact on educational quality. In imposing a moratorium on new sanctions, your bill recognizes their detrimental impact on the very students the law was intended to help. In fact, many students in high-poverty schools subject to escalating sanctions have actually seen a reduction in curriculum in favor of "teaching to the test." In addition, there is little evidence that the NCLB mandated sanctions have helped raise student achievement or close achievement gaps.

Six and a half years after enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act, 18 states still do not have final approval for their system of standards and assessments, raising serious questions about the validity of sanctions imposed since they are based on the results of those assessments. The Department of Education has indicated it is unlikely to give any additional states full approval by the end of the current school year. Therefore, a pause in designating more schools for improvement, as called for under your legislation, is essential to preventing the continued possible misidentification of schools.

We believe your legislation offers a common-sense approach to slowing down the sanction process until the entire system can be reevaluated through the reauthorization process. If the bill moves forward we have some technical suggestions to the language to clarify that schools and districts already identified will still be subject to the appropriate requirements of the law. We thank you again for your leadership on these important issues and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 18, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge your support for the No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 3036), scheduled for mark-up in the Education and Labor Committee today. Actions in committee associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Our country is facing a host of well-documented, complicated environmental challenges that will require our citizenry to be more educated than ever before about our personal and civic choices. At the same time, we have seen a narrowing of school curricula, as schools are forced to spend more and more learning time preparing for high stakes testing. This trend is most exaggerated in the schools of our poorest communities.

NEA strongly supports the rich, challenging, authentic experiences that comprise environmental education for all children. Furthermore, we submit that in order to reach this goal, teachers and schools systems must have greater authority, flexibility, and support to incorporate environmental education into core subject areas. Additionally, states in partnership with LEA's and other stakeholders must develop plans to ensure that all children are provided the learning experiences they need to become environmentally literate.

The No Child Left Inside Act would help address these challenges. Specifically, it would expand the National Environmental Education Act by providing grants to:

• Ensure that teachers have the have the necessary knowledge and skills to teach environmental education; and
• Enhance state and national capacity for environmental education.

States that create environmental literacy plans detailing how all graduates will be environmentally literate will be eligible for this funding.

In 2008, environmental literacy cannot be a privilege reserved for a few; it is a right and a responsibility that every one of us must undertake. The No Child Left Inside Act represents a critical step in ensuring environmental literacy for all. We urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 17, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to reject any efforts to extend funding for the District of Columbia's so-called "Opportunity Scholarship Program." This ill-advised program was created in 2004 as a five-year voucher experiment and is set to expire this September.

The DC voucher program has yielded no evidence of a positive impact on student achievement. The program is poorly administered and diverts $14 million from struggling public schools. A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, issued in November 2007, found that administrative and accountability problems pervade the DC voucher program, undermining fiscal and operational integrity. GAO found, for example, that the program supports private schools that do not charge tuition and schools that use unqualified teachers - some do not have even bachelor's degrees. (The complete GAO report, District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program: Additional Policies and Procedures Would Improve Internal Controls and Program Operations, is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d089.pdf.)

All DC children deserve to go to a great public school. Our nation's capital needs real education reform - not vouchers - to ensure that no child gets left behind. We urge you to let this program expire as scheduled, with no funding for fiscal year 2009.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 16, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to VOTE YES on CLOTURE on the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049). This bill includes important provisions that would extend the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. In addition, moving forward with this bill will allow the Senate to consider a substitute that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for four years. These issues are critically important to NEA members across the country, who will be watching congressional actions closely. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

• The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest counties were in crisis, experiencing dramatic reductions in funding. The program has restored critical educational services for students in rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural schools.

  Unfortunately, the program has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential lay offs.
  

  The substitute including reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program will only be considered if the Senate moves to proceed on H.R. 6049.
  

• The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.

• The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.

• The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support Cloture on this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we again urge your support for legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. We were disappointed that the House failed to pass this legislation earlier this week under suspension of the rules. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

For five consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs, for a total loss of over 300,000 jobs. Just last month, the unemployment rate saw its biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. Currently, over 1.5 million workers are long-term unemployed, meaning they have been jobless for over six months.

Long-term unemployed individuals receive neither a paycheck nor unemployment benefits. And, rising gas and food prices are making it even harder for them to meet their families' even most basic needs. Extension of the unemployment insurance program is critical to ensuring family stability and, consequently, the well being of thousands of students in our public schools.

The legislation under consideration this week would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation. In states with higher levels of unemployment, an additional 13 weeks would be available. This temporary extended benefits program would expire in March 2009.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this bill would provide benefits to 3.8 million unemployed workers. In addition, it will help stimulate the economy. According to CBO, extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-acting forms of economic stimulus because the money is spent quickly.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act (H.R. 3289). We thank you for your leadership in introducing this important legislation to help states enhance the quality of their pre-k programs.

NEA believes that children's learning begins well before they enter school, and that the transition to school must be founded on strong school readiness. Research shows that quality early childhood education is a key predictor of a child's future educational achievement and emotional development. Children need proper stimulation and education from birth through age six in order to ensure full development and adequate preparation for the rigors of school.

Given the importance of high-quality early childhood learning opportunities, we are pleased that your bill would give states the flexibility to use funds for a variety of strategies designed to enhance pre-k programs. For example, states could direct funds authorized under the bill to increase the number of trained early childhood educators, improve student-to-teacher ratios in preschools, provide vital comprehensive services such as health screenings and nutritional assistance, increase the hours per day and weeks per year families have access to high quality early education programs, and/or improve early education programs serving the youngest children.

Again, we thank you for your leadership and look forward to continuing to work with you on these very important issues.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 12, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we urge you to vote YES ON a MOTION TO PROCEED TO CONSIDER the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (S. 3101). This important legislation will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and urban areas. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

NEA supports this bill because it would:

• Delay for 18 months a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician fees scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1 percent. Many physicians already turn away Medicare patients because reimbursement rates for some services are so low they do not cover the cost of providing them. Reducing these reimbursements even further will increase the number of physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients. In fact, nearly half the medical groups that participate in Medicare are accepting fewer Medicare patients or have stopped accepting them altogether, according to a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association. In addition, physicians are considering steps such as laying off staff or postponing purchases of needed technology that could compromise the quality of care.
• Protect seniors and disabled citizens from marketing fraud and abuse by salespeople working for private Medicare plans. By promoting electronic prescribing, the bill would help reduce prescription ordering and dispensing errors so Medicare beneficiaries would no longer have to worry about the accuracy of their prescription medicines.
• Expand rural health care programs. In so doing, the bill will improve access to affordable, high quality medical care in underserved areas.
• Reduce copayments for mental health services from 50 percent to 20 percent. Too many Medicare beneficiaries are unable to afford the higher copayments associated with behavioral health treatment for illnesses such as depression and anxiety. NEA recommends reducing the copayments for behavioral health treatment so they are on par with medical services.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 10, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we strongly urge your support for legislation expected to be on the House floor later this week that would extend unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

For five consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs, for a total loss of over 300,000 jobs. Just last month, the unemployment rate saw its biggest one-month increase in over 20 years. Currently, over 1.5 million workers are long-term unemployed, meaning they have been jobless for over six months.

Long-term unemployed individuals receive neither a paycheck nor unemployment benefits. And, rising gas and food prices are making it even harder for them to meet their families' even most basic needs. Extension of the unemployment insurance program is critical to ensuring family stability and, consequently, the well being of thousands of students in our public schools.

The legislation under consideration this week would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation. In states with higher levels of unemployment, an additional 13 weeks would be available. This temporary extended benefits program would expire in March 2009.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates this bill would provide benefits to 3.8 million unemployed workers. In addition, it will help stimulate the economy. According to CBO, extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-acting forms of economic stimulus because the money is spent quickly.

Again, we urge your support for this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 10, 2008

As a follow up to our letter to you yesterday, we would like to remind you VOTE YES ON CLOTURE for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), scheduled for a floor debate this week. In addition to the reasons we outlined yesterday for supporting cloture (extension of educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, QZAB school modernization program, and Child Tax Credit), moving forward with this bill will allow the Senate to consider a substitute that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for four years. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination program is essential to the survivability of over 800 rural counties and 4,400 schools near national forests in 42 states across the country. It has made a real difference for schools in rural, timber-dependent counties, by ensuring them a consistent funding stream. Since its creation in 2000, the program has been an enormous success. Prior to implementation of this program, schools in forest counties were in crisis, experiencing dramatic reductions in funding. The program has restored critical educational services for students in rural schools and prevented the closure of numerous isolated rural schools.

Unfortunately, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act has expired. Failure to reauthorize and fund it immediately will result in a substantial and devastating funding cut for rural counties across the country. Congress has only a short time to act before counties have to start implementing cuts to schools and services. In fact, a number of counties around the country have already begun sending out pink slips notifying employees of potential lay offs.

The substitute including reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program will only be considered if the Senate reaches cloture on H.R. 6049. We urge your support for cloture on this important legislation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 6, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for your efforts to repeal or modify the subsidy asset test under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Such a change would allow more low income Medicare beneficiaries with limited assets to qualify for financial assistance with Part D premiums and other out-of-pocket drug costs.

Currently, millions of low income Medicare beneficiaries do not qualify for the subsidy because they fail the asset test. A recent GAO report (Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, May 2008, GAO-08-812T) found that many beneficiaries denied eligibility had assets that exceeded the limit, some by as little as $4,572. Most who do not meet the asset test, in reality, have very modest assets, which tend to be bank accounts rather than stocks, mutual funds, and bonds.

In addition, beneficiaries are required to complete complex documentation of the value of their assets, including bank accounts, vehicles, and property other than their home. Often, beneficiaries are denied for failing to complete the application rather than for being over the asset limit.

Widows tend to fail the asset test at a far greater rate than married couples or males. They tend to be older, live alone, and have more chronic illnesses necessitating prescription drug purchases, but have less family support.

Because of these problems, many low income individuals face the same Part D "doughnut hole" cost-sharing requirements as wealthier beneficiaries. Besides paying full monthly Part D premiums, these beneficiaries are responsible for substantial out-of- pocket costs.

Repealing or modifying the asset test would help protect low income individuals who would otherwise be excluded from subsidized prescription drug benefits due to the asset test.

We thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 9, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we urge you to VOTE YES ON CLOTURE for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), scheduled for a floor debate this week. This bill includes important provisions that would extend the tax deduction for educators' out-of-pocket classroom supply expenses, the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) school modernization program, and the Child Tax Credit. Votes associated with this issue may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

The educator tax deduction helps recognize the financial sacrifices made by teachers and paraprofessionals. Studies show that educators spend more of their own funds each year to supply their classrooms, including purchasing essential items such as pencils, glue, scissors, and facial tissues. For example, NEA's 2003 report Status of the American Public School Teacher, 2000-2001 found that teachers spent an average of $443 a year on classroom supplies. More recently, the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that in 2005-2006, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826.00 for supplies and an additional $926 for instructional materials, for a total of $1,752.

The QZAB program has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to help disadvantaged communities address pressing renovation and repair needs. QZABs assist school districts in rural and urban communities by providing a financing mechanism to renovate buildings and invest in equipment and technology. Investors receive a federal tax credit equal to the amount of interest payable on the bonds, thereby relieving local taxpayers and municipalities of the interest burden.

The Child Tax Credit provisions would extend the credit to working families who don't earn enough to qualify for the current credit. Many of these are young families, struggling to balance child care and work and who are scraping together a living, while trying simultaneously to make time for their young children.

Again, we urge your support for cloture on this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 6, 2008

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we ask for your support of the domestic spending provisions in the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill. While we know that there has been extensive debate and concern about budgetary issues, several education-related provisions are critical and cannot be delayed further. Votes associated with this legislation may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

Specifically, we strongly support provisions that would:

• Extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. This program expired at the end of 2006 and was extended for a year by the 2007 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Failure to extend the program before the end of this month will have a devastating effect on students and educators in 4,400 rural school districts in 42 states, as school districts will have to lay off staff and eliminate programs.
• Delay pending Medicaid regulations that threaten the provision of school-based health care for low-income children and children with disabilities. More than half the states are contemplating cuts in critical services, including health care and education. The deteriorating economy and consequent drop in revenues leaves them no choice - by law, the states must balance their budgets. Congress must recognize the serious impact these Medicaid regulations would have on the states and provide much-needed relief.
• Expand education benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of these conflicts deserve the same respect as veterans of World War II. Expanded education benefits are an appropriate way to recognize their service and equip them to succeed as they re-enter civilian society.

We thank you for your attention to these important issues and hope we can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 5, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we would like to express our sincere appreciation for your vote yesterday in support of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021).

As you know, this important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools. Equally important, the legislation provides an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

By supporting this bill, you have made an important statement regarding the need to help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, and encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. We thank you again for your vote and look forward to continuing to work with you in support of great public schools for every child.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 5, 2008

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA), we would like to remind you of our support for the concurrent Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution. We urge you to vote YES on this Budget, which offers a critical downpayment toward meeting the needs of underfunded programs and fulfilling every child's basic right to a great public school. Votes associated with these issues may be included in the NEA Legislative Report Card for the 110th Congress.

We are pleased that the Budget agreement:

• Provides $8.4 billion above the President's request for Function 500, and includes significant increases for education programs to help students from early childhood through post-secondary education. In doing so, the agreement rejects the President's proposed cuts to Function 500, including the plan to eliminate scores of critical education programs. Instead, the Budget will provide critical resources to proven programs such as Title I, services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Head Start, and Pell Grants.
• Rejects the President's priority requests for new private school voucher program as well as rejecting Senate-proposed assumption for tripling the merit pay Teacher Incentive Fund.
• Rejects the President's cuts to the student loan programs, and includes reserve funds to accommodate legislative changes that make college more affordable. These reserve funds will provide the House and Senate Education Committees maximum flexibility in finding offsets to any new spending as they complete reauthorization of Higher Education Act.
• Repeats last year's inclusion of a reserve intended to protect children currently covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and to serve more of those eligible.
• References a tax credit for school construction bonds as a possible use for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for middle-income tax relief and economic equity as well as in a policy statement on middle-income tax relief.

Again, we urge your support for the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 2, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we would like to express our support for the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021).

This important legislation provides $6.4 billion in federal grants to help states and local school districts repair and modernize public schools from coast to coast - essential to equipping America's students to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century. Compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) would be encouraged. Decision-making would remain at the local level.

Equally important, the legislation would provide an economic stimulus that helps create more than 100,000 new jobs for people who design and build schools - everyone from roofing contractors and construction workers to architects and engineers.

The average American school was built half a century ago. As a result, too many of our children attend overcrowded schools housed in buildings with leaky roofs, faulty electrical systems, and outdated technology. Communities cannot build schools fast enough to accommodate growing student populations.

We thank you for your support of this important legislation to help states and local school districts stretch their limited resources, continue essential education programs, equip America's students to succeed in the 21st century, encourage schools to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, and help create more than 100,000 new jobs in construction-related services.

Sincerely,

Diane Shust, Director of Government Relations

Randall Moody, Manager of Federal Advocacy

June 2, 2008

On behalf of the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) we urge your support for the 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021), scheduled for possible floor act